NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 203 



The two ribs are intended to impede the progress of the flame 

 and make the candle last. 



In a pound of dry rushes, avoirdupois, which I caused to be 

 weighed and numbered, we found upwards of one thousand six 

 hundred individuals. Now suppose each of these burns, one with 

 another, only half an hour, then a poor man will purchase eight 

 hundred hours of light, a time exceeding thirty-three entire days, 

 for three shillings. According to this account each rush, before 

 dipping, costs ^ of a farthing, and afterwards. Thus a poor 

 family will enjoy five and a half hours of comfortable light for a 

 farthing. An experienced old housekeeper assures me that one 

 pound and a half of rushes completely supplies his family the year 

 round, since working people burn no candles in the long days, 

 because they rise and go to bed by daylight. 



Little farmers use rushes much in the short days both morning 

 and evening, in the dairy and kitchen ; but the very poor, who 

 are always the worst economists, and therefore must continue 

 very poor, buy a halfpenny candle every evening, which in their 

 blowing open rooms, does not burn much more than two hours. 

 Thus have they only two hours' light for their money instead of 

 eleven. 



While on the subject of rural economy, it may not be improper 

 to mention a pretty implement of housewifery that we have seen 

 nowhere else ; that is, little neat besoms which our foresters make 

 from the stalks of the polytricum commune, or great golden maiden 

 hair, which they call silk-wood, and find plenty in the bogs. 

 When this moss is well combed and dressed, and divested of its 

 outer skin, it becomes of a beautiful bright- chesnut colour ; and, 

 being soft and pliant, is very proper for the dusting of beds, cur- 

 tains, carpets, hangings, etc. If these besoms were known to the 

 brush-makers in town, it is probable they might come much in use 

 for the purpose above-mentioned. 



I am, etc. 



